Christian Church is all about the group of people and not the size of the building. Church is the gathering of at least two people. Matthew chapter 18 verse 20, Jesus says: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Christendom is the most famous gathering across the continent. It might interest you to know that Australia has more churches (above 13,000) than schools (above 9,500).

Churches in the UK are not less than 50,660 and America has more than 300,000 Christian churches. Nigeria has the largest Christian population in Africa with more than 85 million people.

These attractive statistics should imply an easy choice for new Christian converts to find a right Christian church, but the contrast is the case in many places.

The scandals in many denominations made it difficult for me to recommend a specific church to the new Christian converts. Jesus says that by their fruits you shall know them…

The 5 points below are helpful guides to know the right Christian church to worship:

1. Absence of Statue in the Church

The LORD detests the presence of statue or any image in our homes or in any Christian church. HE said: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth”… (Exodus 20)

Thus, don’t worship in a church that hangs pictures or statue of; ‘Jesus and his disciples’, ‘cross’, ‘Mary’ and so on. Don’t be deceived! Any idol (statue) of Angel, Mary or Peter in the midst of any gathering is a counterfeit Christian church!!

Don’t be deceived by the size and beauty of the cathedral. If care is not taken, their hospitality to you might make you overlook their idolatry practices. They worship idols in a modern way… run away…

2. Zero worship of Mammon

It is unfortunate that many church leaders involve in ungodly fundraising and technical exploitation of their church members. They do this for building projects, acquisition of cars or jets, establishment of colleges and universities (which is not affordable for the poor members of the church).

If you attend a Christian church and you noticed that the leader talks more about how you need to give money for your prosperity, then take your leave. Church that worship Mammon preaches more about accumulation of wealth on earth.

Such leaders shy away from preaching ‘hot’ topics such as; Discipline, Persecution, Sin, Tribulation, Holiness… They are good motivational speakers.

I attended a Christian church sometimes ago and it took the leader more than one hour to receive different forms of offerings from his members. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

3. Absence of Church Politics in Christian Church

You have no business with a Christian church filled with eye-services. Jesus never loved the Pharisee style of worship, such as; praising some church members on the pulpit, allocating special sits for the rich in the church, abuse of positions etc.

For instance, some church leaders award reputable positions (such as Elder, Pastor, Deacon Etc.) to the rich, without considering their spiritual stamina. Such congregation cannot harbor the presence of the Lord in their worship.

James chapter 2 verse 2 to 4 says: “For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”

4. Protocol of Speaking in Tongues

Since the so-called ‘Pentecostal explosion’ about four decades ago, the rate of disorderliness in much Christian church is at the increase. And, the outburst of false speaking in tongues disallowed the presence of God in many gatherings.

Speaking in tongues and Interpretation of tongues are gifts from the Lord. But, the Devil introduced counterfeit tongues to the Christendom. These false tongues cause distractions during prayers and worship to the Lord.

Thus, stay away from the Christian church that does not obey the scriptural instructions below:

“…If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God…” Read first Corinthians chapter 14 for details.

5. Worship with One Mind

The early disciples of Jesus showed the true features of a Christian church as recorded in the book of Act chapter 6 verse 46 and 47: “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved”.

Don’t hesitate to mingle with group of people (the Christian church) that practice the true Love of God in everything they do. God dwells in the midst of people who worship Him in truth and in righteousness.

I complained bitterly to an elder that I found it difficult to get a perfect Christian church in the neighborhood. His response astonished me:

“There is no perfect Christian church, but there is a perfect Bible. Church is a place to worship and share the Word of God for spiritual growth.

The Bible is the ‘transformer’ of your life! If the church you attend do anything more than sharing the Word of God and worship to the Lord, then imperfection will set into such church.”

So, my conclusion is that do not lose your faith in Jesus Christ through the scandal you see in any ‘Christian church’ around you. God cares about your salvation in Christ, because that is the only way to gain heaven.

Read your Bible daily and practice the scriptures you read. Share the word of God with people around you, then you’ve fulfilled the scriptures that talks about Christian church.

Note: Your Church attendance does not give you automatic ticket to heaven, because there is no church denomination registered in heaven. So, your major motives of attending a Christian church are to share the word of God, and execute plans on spreading the Gospel to the world.